New Illinois law protects bears, cougars and wolves

Gov. Pat Quinn has signed a law adding black bears, cougars and wolves to Illinois’ list of protected species.

All three species still are rare in Illinois, but wildlife officials expect them to become more common and wanted a way to protect them.

Wildlife officials say there’s been an uptick in the number of bears, cougars and wolves entering Illinois.

In June, black bear sightings were reported in several northern Illinois counties, including Winnebago, Boone, Stephenson, Ogle and DeKalb. Wildlife officials believe one bear wandered in a 300-mile loop that began and ended in Jo Daviess County.

“It was a good test case, because the bear was in Illinois long enough for us to start a public education campaign,” said Scott Young, a spokesman for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. “We talked with the public and the media about leaving the bear alone, and not leaving food (such as trash, barbecue grills and bird feeders) that would attract it.”

A female timber wolf was tracked from Wisconsin through Stephenson County in December 2012. It was found dead near Apple Canyon Lake in March 2013, according to the University of Illinois Extension.

Bears and wolves are likely migrants from established populations in neighboring states, where populations have recovered and the range is expanding. Cougars are also migrants from Plains states.

The Department of Natural Resources says the law will allow it to manage the animals for protection and public safety.

Jack Darin, director of the Sierra Club’s Illinois chapter, said the possible return of the large predators “is a sign that decades of investment and effort to restore natural habitat in Illinois and the Midwest are paying off.”